Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone
It’s (weirdly!) that time of again: gift guide season. In a year when the things we need and want are so dramatically different than they used to be, and when it feels like both nothing and literally everything has changed since last year, it’s sort of hard to conceive of gifts that make sense for 2020. But making gift guides is one of my truest pleasures, so I’m going to try my best!
Last year, I published three gift guides, which still really hold up, imho. You can find them all here:
Holiday gift ideas for the Everlane-loving, shit-together homebody in your life
Holiday gift ideas for the well-dressed, blob-loving creative in your life
This year, I’m planning to do a few gift posts, in similar categories as the ones above (plus a couple of new ones). To kick things off, here are the MVPs that I think will work well for a lot of different people!
Chile Crunch
I bought this after a reader recommended it last year and love it on fried eggs and toast especially. Think of it as the new hot honey (which was, by far, the most popular item from last year’s gift guides). Get a jar from ChileCrunch.com for $12.80 or from Amazon for $19.75. (BTW, if you’re looking for DIY/edible gift ideas, you can also make your own.)
Danica taper candles
My precious beauties. (More info on why I love them here.) DM me if you’re obsessing over which color to get or wondering how they look IRL; I own…a lot of them. Get a box of five 9-inch tapers from Danica for $18.50. (Bonus pairing: taper holders — Urban usually has good ones that aren’t too expensive.)
Mexican train dominoes
I was first introduced to this game by Terri and I love it so much! It’s easy to learn and is a very good family game (and it only requires two people, so it’s nice for couples who are spending a lot of time at home together). You can find versions at a lot of different retailers, including Amazon ($39.97) and Target ($24.99), and you can get personalized hubs on Etsy which is a nice way to upgrade a standard set.
The Comfy
This is one of those “as seen on TV” products that absolutely rules. My mom saw it on HSN and sent me a cream one (which is annoyingly no longer available), and I’ll admit I was skeptical at first. But you guys… it fucking rocks. It’s warm and cozy and so soft, and makes life on the couch or in bed so wonderful. (It’s also way better than a Snuggie in, like, every possible way.) Get one for $39.99 from The Comfy (use this referral link to get $10 off) or Amazon.
At-home Escape Room
This is such a clever way to recreate something that really can’t be done in our current pandemic reality! Get it from Uncommon Goods for $50.
Wild One dog leash
This leash is such a beautiful color and it makes me happy every time I use it. (There are also several other colors that I’ve spotted around the park, and that are also lovely.) It’s also durable and easy to clean. Get it from Wild One for $58, and pair it with the coral poop bag carrier ($12) for a very cute vibe.
Yeelight smart color-changing bulb
I talked about this in my lighting post and, since then, a couple people have let me know they bought one and love it. Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Joy of Cooking
I swear by this classic cookbook; the authors use Wirecutter-esque rigor to develop truly great recipes. They released a new version in 2019, and it’s a good gift for new cooks or more experienced cooks who have never gotten around to buying this classic. Get it from Bookshop ($36.80), Amazon ($20.91), or your favorite local bookstore.
The Tushy
Fun fact: I regularly included a Squatty Potty on my BuzzFeed gift guides and it always sold extremely well. Obviously, anything hole-related is a “know your audience” gift, so use your best judgment here. But if you’ve already given a Squatty Potty, the Tushy is the next frontier, and while installation is not necessarily as easy as they make it sound — it really depends on your toilet, I think — it’s very doable and worth it in the long run. Get the classic on sale for $89 (normally $109).
Clip-on mini ring light
The current reality of very little daylight + lots of video calls makes this little guy a rather nice thing to have around. (I have one and use it regularly.) You can also clip it to your phone for nice selfie lighting. Get one from Amazon for $13.99. 🎁
More 2020 gift guides: Gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life, gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’, good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious, good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life, good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice, and good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30.